High Heels On The Field

Brad Lidge's Wings Clippered

When I interviewed Brad Lidge last season, he spoke about the infamous Albert Pujols-three-run homerun-stunner, while with the Houston Astros. Lidge viewed it as a learning experience, a rough moment that he learned a lot from. He said that mistakes are a great teacher.

These days he must be learning a whole lot.

Lidge blew his third save of 2009 today against the New York Yankees, in a true afternoon stunner.

The closer is clearly experiencing some mechanical issues. The insert in his shoe (for the purpose of taking weight off his knee) is possibly not enough. While he's come back from a rut and saved two in a row, it's still cause for some alarm. Locating his fastball is key for Lidge to pitch well. That was something he couldn't command today. He walked Johnny Damon, gave up a two-run home run to Alex Rodriguez (who was 0-3 before that), then Melky Cabrera singled to right to win in it 5-4.

It was a well-played game all-around for the Phillies. The pitching by young J.A. Happ was excellent and Raul Ibanez homered to continue his impressive tear. Ryan Madson set up beautifully for Lidge. His changeup was spot on.

But the guy who shuts the door, who the Phillies owe so much of 2008's success to, is just not the same guy. Consistency, as it's always been told to me, is the key and Lidge cannot seem to maintain that consistency at the moment. Whether that means Phils manager Charlie Manuel has to do some rethinking, remains to be seen. But Lidge being the champion that he is, will not want to continue to hurt the team, if it is in fact something mechanical. Perhaps the problem is a little more serious than he'd thought?

As for the starting pitching, it was mentioned that the Phils are eyeing Jason Marquis as another starter to join the rotation. The Phils are obviously starting to push the panic button a bit. It's almost June, and chances should be dwindling for those that aren't proving themselves.

By the way, thanks to the folks at NYYFans.com for linking my blog. I appreciate it.

And to my buddy Susan Lulgjuraj: the ghosts apparently travelled to their new home.

Phillies@Yankees; Austin Jackson Getting It Done

The upcoming series between the Yankees and Phillies at new Yankee Stadium has all the makings of an American League blowout. Don't be fooled - Phillies hit like they're an AL club.

It could be just in time, too, with Jimmy Rollins finally heating up at the plate. The Phils shortstop is hitting .283, after being dropped down in the lineup a few games. Who knows if it turned him around? Manager Charlie Manuel told me last season he's not afraid to try new things in teaching hitting ; though he was talking about Ryan Howard, the Rollins Experiment was a success as well.

Also interesting will be how in the name of all that is holy, the Phillies pitch Alex Rodriguez. If ever a guy is fueled with a mission- now more than ever- it's the Yankees superstar. He's been hot since coming back, with five home runs in four straight games.

I did some checking on fan favorite (and my favorite Thunder player to interview last season), Austin Jackson. Though I've not gotten to see him play this season, the OF is doing well at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .344 with fourteen RBI. With a guy like Jackson, you know that he can be a positive force anywhere he plays. He checks his attitude at the door and his not afraid to learn. A young, very talented player can get crossed up maturing mentally. Jackson is already way beyond that point.

Michael Dunn Doing Fine Where Trenton Thunder Want Him

The Trenton Thunder are second from last in the Eastern League Northern Division, with a 16-18 record on the season. Though the 2008 EL champs are playing .470 baseball, the division is competitive. They're only three games back from first, with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats leading the Connecticut Defenders by just half a game.

Thunder reliever Michael Dunn is a guy whose attitude seems positive enough to carry the whole club.

"It doesn't matter if I'm hitting or I'm pitching. Just playing baseball is what matters," he says.

In 20 innings pitched he carries an ERA of 5.75. He's 1-2 with two saves. While he has no demands on how he's used, he admits to ultimately having a preference.

"I love the bullpen. Ideally I'd like to be an 8th or 9th inning guy further down the road. But right now it's fine with me, wherever they want me to get my work in."

They have a team ERA of 3.70. They also have the dubious honor of being tied for first with the Bowie BaySox in hit batters. Overall they've plunked 21. 

Thunder beat writer and author of the blog "Mike Ashmore's Thunder Thoughts", is impressed with one starter in particular.

"Ivan Nova, when he's on, is the best starter they have," he says. "Pitching coach Tommy Phelps most glowing praise was for Ivan. He talked about easy, yet hard his fastball is."

Ashmore also gives his take on who the best pitching prospect is at the moment.

"By default, it's likely Zach McAlister. He's not the biggest personality on the team. He goes out and gets the job done," Ashmore says. "He's probably two years away from being big league ready."

In Florida State League, the Jupiter Hammerheads lost four straight but have bounced back a bit. Mike Stanton continues his offensive dominance. He leads the team in RBI with twenty five and is currently hitting .283. He also leads the club in home runs with eight. As for pitching, Kyle Winters leads the FSL with a 0.87 ERA. He's also second in base on balls with four.

Pottstown, Pennsylvania native A.J. Battisto had two relief appearances that stand out for polar opposite reasons. In a game against the Charlotte Stone Crabs he pitched three innings, gave up one hit and struck out four. The following night against the Sarasota Reds, his ERA shot to 27.00 after  allowing two runs. In sixteen innings of work he's had up and down results, but he's given up only three walks- a stat scouts pay particular attention to.

Brad Thoma Looks To New (Jersey) Season With The Jackals

The image: A guy leaping in the air, pumping his fists, as if there were no gravity and he might shoot to the moon.

The guy was Brad Thoma and the display followed his walk off home run to give the Surf the win over their biggest rival, the Worcester Tornadoes. And he still remembers the pitch.

"It was a 1-0 fastball on the inner half of the plate. He threw a first pitch fastball that he elevated in the zone," he said. "That was probably the most thrilling moment of my career."

Thoma, 25, was part of that 2008 Surf club I dubbed "The Goodfellas." They were a macho, but often comical bunch of guys, that made it to the playoffs. Though the Quebec Capitales eliminated them in the first round, Thoma has only fond memories.

"I love the guys who were part of last year's team," he said.

The team included shortstop Anthony Granato, a post-season All Star, as well as Walker Whitley, Brian Rodaway and Adam Cox, three of the league's top pitchers. He also got to play alongside friend and outfielder Jason Hurst, one of the most aggressive players to come through Bernie Robbins Stadium. The Surf had to close their doors after the 2008 season, due to lack of funding.

"It's a shame. I loved playing there."

Over the fall, Thoma and Surf relief pitcher Kyle George were traded to the New Jersey Jackals. George was one of his teammates in 2008. As for how two less teams in the league affects the league, Thoma believes it will be positive change.

"From a hitter's standpoint, I think we gain the element of familiarity since we will be seeing each other more often. It will be like seeing each team's best pitcher everyday, due to the depth of good players from all the teams in the league."

He's unsure of his role with the Jackals, but the versatile player says he's had a lot of communication with Jackals manager, Joe Calfapietra.

"I've talked to him several times. I'm unsure. I think I'll be mainly working out at shortstop."

True to his enthusiastic nature, Thoma says he's comfortable if there's a platoon situation.

"They have a good second baseman and some really good players coming in."

That includes pitcher Seth Overbey, who played with the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats last season, and infielder Myron Leslie. Leslie was an eighth round pick in 2004 for the Oakland Athletics.

The Jackals haven't been to the playoffs since 2004. But Thoma says he already has a beat on what kind of team he thinks the Jackals will be.

"I would have to say our strengths are going to be pitching and defense. I think we'll have good speed in the middle of our lineup and that we'll be a "small ball" type of team."

He understands he's got a job to do, but his first concern isn't what that job is.

"Whatever my role may be, I just hope to perform at my highest level everyday."

Quotable: Jeff Hetzer, Thoma's coach at Thomas Moore College: "He was the best player I ever coached. He did everything I asked, including playing outfield. He's got a great work ethic with a great attitude."

"I got a great story, though he might not think so. I gave him the day off. We were playing a fairly weak team and I thought we could win without him. I wanted him to take notice and get his mind right. I didn't know it was his birthday and he had people coming to see him! He hit .500 the rest of the year."

Notes: At Thomas Moore College he ranks second in career games played...He was born in Miamisburg, Ohio...He's an off-season instructor at Extra Innings in his hometown....He hit .280 and knocked in 44 runs in 2008....